Fenland drains expert John Taylor this time has to settle for runner-up to Andy Greenwood

On Wednesday it was the regular Tydd Gote open match fished on the North Level Drain – another water well worth a visit at this time of year, writes Ken Wade.

Even in bitterly cold conditions there are always a few bites to be had.

On Fenland drains John Taylor (pictured) is a very hard man to beat; if you do it usually means you are going to be in the money, he is that good, especially if he draws well.

Andy Greenwood took the honours. He put together a net of small roach, perch and skimmers for a well deserved win with the only double figure weight on the day, putting 10lb 10oz to the scales. Then came John Taylor, who has been good enough to share his approach to the match.

As I said, he is one of the top rods in the area and a very knowledgeable angler who is more than happy to explain his tactics to anyone who cares to listen.

Groundbait plays a big part in his approach, he mixed up Sensas Canal Black and Gros Gardons Fine with a little brown crumb, laced with pinkie and squatt, that was to fish on two long pole lines.

He also set up a waggler, very important if the fish move just a little too far out to reach comfortably on the pole, or if the wind picks up and makes presentation difficult on the pole.

He started off by loose feeding pinkie but as he was only catching small fish decided to cut it out and move to the 12 metre line.

This was much better with groundbait as he caught a slightly better stamp of fish through to the end of the match to give him 7lb 14oz and second place.

Third place went to Sammy McSpadden on 7lb 4oz.